How we edit

WISers Write is written by students at Wellspring Saigon and edited by WISers Communication, the school's student media team. Every piece goes through the same steps before it is published.

From idea to published piece

  1. A writer sends an idea or a draft. Anyone at school can send one through Submit your story.

  2. The Copy Chief reviews the draft against the standards below and leaves comments in the document. Editors point to what needs work and suggest a direction; the writer makes the changes.

  3. The Editor Manager publishes the piece on the column's schedule.

What we check

  • No rumours or private matters. We do not publish unverified claims, students' private lives or arguments between students.

  • Fair language. Criticism is welcome when it is fair. We do not use insulting language about people or the school.

  • Accurate facts. A piece reports only what has been checked. The writer's own view belongs in Opinion, and only there.

  • The right length. Most pieces run 300-500 words. Every sentence should earn its place.

  • No shorthand. We write words in full, without abbreviations or "etc".

  • Care with sensitive topics. We stay away from politics, and we write about the school with care.

How we judge a draft

Editors look at four things: flow, clarity, grammar and spelling, and content.

Names, headlines and quotes

Every piece carries the writer's full name. Headlines are 15 words or fewer. Quotes name the person speaking and their role at school.

Opinion

Opinion pieces are the writer's own view. They are not the view of WISers Write or Wellspring Saigon.